Canon FT (1966–1970)

Name: Canon FT
Brand: Canon

The Canon FT is a 35mm SLR that arrived in March 1966. It was one of the earliest Canon bodies to use the FD breech-lock lens mount, which allowed full-aperture metering via a pin on the lens that transmitted the maximum aperture to the meter. Canon positioned it as its top-of-the-line amateur model, a step up from the FX it closely resembled. The key difference is the meter cell. The FT used a CdS cell for its through-the-lens metering, while the FX made do with a selenium cell. Otherwise the two were nearly identical, and Canon itself described the FT as an improved FX.

Metering is with a CdS cell, covering a range of EV 2.5 to EV 18 at ASA 100. The silver-coated pentaprism viewfinder shows a meter needle for exposure level. Film speed is set with an ASA dial covering 25 to 800. The camera is fully manual, with no auto-exposure modes at all. The mechanical focal-plane shutter offers speeds from 1 second to 1/1000 plus Bulb. The shutter speed dial locks at 1/125 for flash work, and the camera offers M and X sync. The meter runs on a 1.3V mercury battery (PX-13), which is no longer manufactured. Modern replacements include zinc-air or Wein cells.

Canon's museum notes say the FT-QL variant (QL standing for quick loading) used a simplified film-loading system. The FT-QL body was introduced at $259.50. With an f/1.8 lens the price came to $351.00, and with an f/1.4 lens it was $421.00. The FT remained in production until 1970.

Collectors today generally regard the FT as a well-built, reliable classic. Check a few things when buying. The CdS meter may have drifted or died with age, the foam light seals around the film door often need replacement, and decades-old lubricants can leave shutter speeds running slow. The aperture blades on FD lenses of this era are also prone to becoming oily or sticky. The FT is typically available for well under $100, and it is a solid, all-mechanical way into 1960s Canon SLRs - provided you're comfortable with a dead meter or a battery conversion.